anxiouscrafter – Anxious Crafter

I choose you.

ACEP 1 Seasonal Scene Building/ Anderson

It has happened to every one of us when we least expect it. Later, the timing was proven to be right. This happened to me years ago. I rescued a very large cat from a family that was ready to give him up to a shelter because they couldn’t care for him.

Recently we celebrated his birthday. He is now well over 10 years old. He is my best friend and he has been through so much. He chose me.

Continuing on with my papercrafting, I recently completed a class teaching me how to build scenes. This project portrays my kitty and his playful nature. I began by using the graffiti scribble stencil by Altenew for the background. Inked with distress ink in “salty ocean” color.

The images were cut and stamped from Altenew “modern cats” stamp and die set. I used honey drizzle and caramel toffee crisp dye inks layered on top of each other for the perfect color. Fine details were added with black fine liner pen. My favorite Nuvo drops were added to complete the scene.

Who is your best friend? Was it planned or just kind of happened?

Thanks to everyone that has emailed and left kind messages. I appreciate each and every one of you. Remember to drop me a comment and follow my blog for more stories and creative gems.

As always, all my creations are donated back to the IAFF Center of Excellence for firefighters recovering from PTSD or to someone that just needs to know they are important.

Remember, Be still and create something beautiful. 💘

I love you

Its just 3 words. But, it has Proven difficult for some people to say.

I know because I grew up in a home like that. I never heard those words growing up.

I know, its just words. Sometimes you need to hear it, for a little reassurance that you are indeed, loved by someone.

My mothers last words before she passed away was, ‘I love you”. I had never heard them from her so, as you can imagine, it was a bit shocking.

As a result, I also find those words difficult to say. It is just something I never learned or practiced.

It was a major milestone, in recovery to learn to express myself better. I cant change the past. I can only move forward and shape my future.

There it is, the inspiration for my next project. This is pretty much “Me”. Straight forward, not too mushy but flexible.

A simple reminder that we all need to tell our loved ones how we feel and express our true selves every damn day!

This project showcases the ink blending technique which is typically a background. I added a fun twist by blending ink onto a doily and using that as my focal point.

This project started with card stock from my stash. Two layers were cut and the second one was covered in beautiful Altenew washi tape to create the background. A paper doily was then ink blended with oxide ink in hues of red. While that was drying, I fussy cut flower bouquets from the washi tape. It is time consuming but worth it.

I cut 3 layers of “hello” from the Altenew “Waterbrush Hello Die” from red card stock. I glued each one together to add dimension and stability to the “Hello” word phrase.
The word was layered on top of the paper inked doily. The washi flowers that I carefully cut earlier were added around the center. The sentiment strip was added at the bottom from the “All the Hearts” Altenew stamp set to finish this project.

We all should say “I love you” a little more and remain silent a little less. Drop a comment and share this with someone who needs this today.

Remember, be still and create something beautiful. 💘

Love and Hope – To all the single girls. AECP

I like to title my class projects. This was named “Love and Hope”.

This amazing card was inspired by all the single girls I know. 💘

As we approach Valentine’s Day in a few weeks, most of us are planning and sneaking around for that perfect gift or moment.

Some of us aren’t going to have any of that pomp amd circumstance simply because we are single.

I have been single by choice for a long time so this day of reds, pinks, kisses and hearts well, its just another day.

My project was crafted using my favorite rose gold paper for both the heart and the sentement. I chose a classic shade of pink and black card stock from my stash. I used an A4 size black base for this one. I was aiming for a toned down classy expression of both love and hope here.

The gorgeous flower came from the HOPE flower stamp set. I chose Altenew inks in 3 shades of pink and 4 shades of muted Grays. This is where the layering comes in. I added a touch of “wink of Stella” clear pen to top the flower off. The flower was put together and popped up with foam tape.

The 3 hearts were cut from 3 papers using the “Illusion Heart” Die Set. The “love” sentiment was cut from my favorite rose gold.

Lastly, washi tape also from Altenew, was added to tone it down even more.

This card expresses my Hope that someday I will find a Valentine of my own. But, it also gives me some strength and love in return. This will be one of many being donated to The IAFF Center of Excellence for Firefighters experiencing mental illness.

Because, they will not be forgotten.

I certainly hope you enjoy this card.

Comment and follow my blog. 💙 Great things are about to happen. 💙

Welcome…

Thanks for dropping in.

This is intended to be a blog to share stories, experiences, creative energy and my life.

Though, it may not seem like much right now, great things are about to happen.

As we close out 2020, the disaster as it was for many folks, we have to push forward. You simply cant go backwards and staying where you are isnt possible.

Stick around, check in frequently and lets support each other on this journey. The world is changing rapidly. We don’t know what is up ahead. Lets grab it like we own it and move on.